Help!

[MrFujicaman]

Does anybody know of a repairman that works on Chinon CE-II cameras? Mine needs the meter adjusted as it reads two stops low. Frank Marshman said he doesn't work on them as the electronics are custom made and no replacements are available. It doesn't seem to need new parts-just a tuning up of the light meter.

 

[Calzone]

MFM,

I would call Nippon Camera Clinic in NYC.

Cal

 

[Mudman]

You can try Allen Wade at Cameraworks in upstate NY. He’s always willing to take a look. Works Weds-Friday

 

[farlymac]

Well, you see the thing about CdS cells is they go bad over time. And some of them can be very specific to whatever camera they are mounted in because of their shape and size, and what type of mounting was used (usually a PC board). Two stops is an awful lot of change, likely more than the trim pots are capable of, so yeah, one could search high and low and never find the proper cells to replace what is in there. And parts scavenged from another camera are likely to fail sooner than later as they are pretty old too (cir 1976-78). It might be less expensive to just keep buying another camera body, or one of its clones http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Chinon_CE_II_Memotron

Good luck with it. A dear late friend of mine had one when they were new, and we used to go on little photo excursions around Columbus, OH. He was always saying I took better photos because I had a Nikon FE, but I showed him how he could do just as good with his Chinon, and it wasn't long before he quit complaining about what I was using.

PF

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The CE II is listed as using Silicon Photo Diodes, " Exposure meter TTL center weighted measuring system employing two Silicon blue cells. Automatic exposure range of EV 0-19 with ASA 100 (2 sees at f/1.4 to 1/2000 see at f/16). ASA range 25 - 3200."

If the exposure is always off by 2ev, you could just compensate with the ISO speed for the film. If it is underexposing 2 stops, just use ISO 100 for 400 speed film. If overexposing, use ISO 1600 for 400 speed film.

Looking at the manual: the camera also has an exposure compensation dial. You could use it to correct exposure.

 

[Calzone]

The CE II is listed as using Silicon Photo Diodes, " Exposure meter TTL center weighted measuring system employing two Silicon blue cells. Automatic exposure range of EV 0-19 with ASA 100 (2 sees at f/1.4 to 1/2000 see at f/16). ASA range 25 - 3200."

If the exposure is always off by 2ev, you could just compensate with the ISO speed for the film. If it is underexposing 2 stops, just use ISO 100 for 400 speed film. If overexposing, use ISO 1600 for 400 speed film.

Looking at the manual: the camera also has an exposure compensation dial. You could use it to correct exposure.

Brian,

This is brilliant. Very (mucho) clever.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

MFM,

I bought a 1975 black Leica SL2-MOT for $300.00 dollars at Adorama, evidently a shelf queen that went unused because I believe the CdS cell went south early on. The prism also was desilvering so this explains the el-cheapo price and the blow out deal. I bought it as a rescue project knowing things could be done to restore it into a great camera.

So a few months later I found a chrome SL2 that had a perfect prism and a perfectly working meter also for $300.00, but this SL2 likely was a brawler and had been used as a deadly weapon in many street fights. This camera was hammered to death. The camera was so worn that the lens mount needed replacement. The camera body was all dented from all the street fights it had one.

I ended up sending both bodies to Sherrry for her to merge all the best parts into one camera. She also modded the camera electronics for modern batteries that are not Mercury Cells.

One thing I figured out was how to make my 50 Lux version 2 "E60" retrofit to 3-cam using parts from a Leica Macro-adapter that I bought at B&H for $40.00. Leica no longer provides upgrading to 3-cam, but in my case I needed to regress from ROM to 3-cam to create pretty much a camera that prevents me from wanting a Nikon F2.

Anyways I understand the value and stubbornness when a camera becomes an extension of the self. Good luck with finding a solution.

Cal

 

[MrFujicaman]

Mudman, Calzone..thanks! I'll call both of those tomorrow and see if one of them is willing to work on it.

 

[monopix]

I regularly see the same problem with silicone blue cells in Contax bodies. They seem to get a fungus behind the blue filter which partially blocks the light and makes the camera over expose. One or two stops isn't uncommon. I found the cell is still manufactured and readily available. Doesn't mean to say yours is but worth looking.

 

[MrFujicaman]

Monopix-do you know anyone who'd repair my CE-II? Nippon Photo said they don't.

 

[MrFujicaman]

MFM, Anyways I understand the value and stubbornness when a camera becomes an extension of the self. Good luck with finding a solution.

Cal

Cal, it's that to my mind, Chinon out thought everybody else on automation back in the early 1970's. Their system worked with any single pin M42 lens. No having to buy new lenses every few years when they jiggered around with the mount ( Nikon AI-AIS etc). I have a bunch of nice M42 lenses and having auto exposure is really nice. I mean, I've got a 17mm Takumar, a 300mm f4, a 90mm Series 1 and other really nice lenses.

This CE-II is planned to be the backup for my GAF-L-ES that I had Essex camera build out of 3 L-ES bodies some years ago.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I regularly see the same problem with silicone blue cells in Contax bodies. They seem to get a fungus behind the blue filter which partially blocks the light and makes the camera over expose. One or two stops isn't uncommon. I found the cell is still manufactured and readily available. Doesn't mean to say yours is but worth looking.

That is just the cover glass- I wonder if it can be replaced. Looks like a glass that corrodes with humidity.

 

[monopix]

That is just the cover glass- I wonder if it can be replaced. Looks like a glass that corrodes with humidity.

No it's not. It's the stuff that's under the glass. Like a clear silicone material that sticks the glass in place. The glass is very thin (and often has a crack in it already) and if you try and remove it it breaks up. I know, I've tried. Oher examples at https://contax139.blogspot.com/2019/02/does-your-139-over-expose.html

 

[monopix]

Monopix-do you know anyone who'd repair my CE-II? Nippon Photo said they don't.

Sorry I don't.

 

[Calzone]

Monopix-do you know anyone who'd repair my CE-II? Nippon Photo said they don't.

MFM,

I feel your pain.

Cal